West Dundee Plans Development on Former Spring Hill Mall Site

The property once occupied by Spring Hill Mall in West Dundee may soon transform into a bustling area with new homes, retail, entertainment, and civic spaces. Plans were presented to the West Dundee Village Board on Monday night.

Tim Scott, the village’s director of economic development, along with Houseal Lavigne Associates, a Chicago-based urban planning firm, revealed two development concepts: an ‘urban village’ and a ‘mixed-use boulevard.’ The project aims to redevelop the 100-acre site with 778 to 1,326 new residential units.

Development Concepts

The ‘urban village’ concept includes:

• Projected 778 residential units
• 320,000 square feet of retail space
• 200 retail jobs
• 35,000 square feet of civic space
• 1,830 parking spaces
• Maximum building height of five floors
• Estimated cost of $283 million

The ‘mixed-use boulevard’ seeks to offer:

• Possible 1,326 residential units
• 400,000 square feet of retail space
• 35,000 square feet of civic space
• 1,350 parking spaces
• Maximum building height of five floors
• Estimated cost of $449 million

Potential and Planning

Tim Scott highlighted that data-driven modeling is key to attracting developers interested in specific projects. Sujan Shrestha, a senior planner for Houseal Lavigne, emphasized that best practices involve placing housing near existing developments and retail next to current retail facilities like Cinemark and Jewel-Osco.

The development area near Carpentersville could naturally extend to the village-owned mall section once anchored by Kohl’s.

Future Engagement and Development

An online microsite and a video game-style application are planned. The app will let users virtually explore the development’s features, said Devin Lavigne, co-founder of Houseal Lavigne.

Village President Chris Nelson pointed out that there will be extensive discussions and public input sessions, including a proposed town hall forum. Full redevelopment could take 10 years or longer.

In February 2025, the village signed a $124,970 contract with Houseal Lavigne for this project. The Spring Hill Mall, opened in the 1980s, closed in March 2024. West Dundee purchased part of the land and spent approximately $6 million on its redevelopment.

Next Steps and Infrastructure

Village Manager Joe Cavallaro explained that detailed documents outlining the village’s vision and expectations are under preparation. The initial development is likely to include a new public safety center on four acres of controllable land.

Cavallaro clarified that various developments will follow, with extensive planning for utility and roadway layouts to meet infrastructure needs.